Otago-Southland medical officer of health Dr John Holmes has been seconded to the Ministry of Health next year as chief policy adviser in the population health directorate.
Initial results from a national survey of adult cancer patients - including some from Otago - show overall satisfaction with publicly funded outpatient care but some areas which need improvement.
Cool summer temperatures in Otago over summer should not be used as an excuse to ignore sun protection.
The sending of generic letters to people who wanted to be included in the audit of colonoscopy referrals to Dunedin Hospital has been defended by Otago District Health Board chief executive Brian Rousseau.
The Otago District Health Board-funded skin lesion removal service provided through some general practitioners has reached its quota of 360 procedures after only five months of this financial year.
Should some patients receiving care in Otago and Southland district health board hospitals have the option of paying for extra specialised treatments which are not publicly funded?
Dunedin Hospital has changed markedly since the 1990s and is now much more focused on patient care, the Otago District Health Board's new women's health clinical director, Dr Alex Teare, says.
Many women are reluctant to have students involved in their care, making it difficult for trainees to have adequate contact with obstetric and gynaecology patients, the Otago District Health Board's new women's health clinical director, Dr Alex Teare, says.
My companion was probably trying to get me to shut up when he offered an explanation for Tiger Woods' transgressions. Fair enough. I was going on a bit about mistresses.
Following a review sought by the Otago Daily Times, Minister of Health Tony Ryall has released some information on the estimated cost of the 12-month programme of the breast cancer drug Herceptin, but the actual cost remains unclear.
A photograph from a candlelight vigil at Woodhaugh Gardens is likely to be printed and given to officials at the international climate change conference in Copenhagen.
A clinic designed to speed up treatment of people with lung cancer won the Otago District Health Board's top clinical quality improvement award last week.
Before the Otago and Southland district health boards make decisions on a possible merger, they must be confident they have " the hearts and minds" of health professionals on the issue, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell says.
Otago and Southland district health boards' chief executive Brian Rousseau had a pay increase last financial year to lift his salary to between $470,000 and $480,000.
Ousted chairman Richard Thomson was again the Otago District Health Board member to receive the most remuneration last financial year.
More than 120 submissions have been received on the single Otago-Southland district health board idea since the formal consultation began early last month.
Dunedin is not the only place where patients smoking outside hospital entrances is an issue for hospital managers.
Community care for the elderly involves much more than showering and cleaning, and the Otago District Health Board needs to be more imaginative in its approach to buying services, board member Louise Carr says.
It should not be assumed that changes to alcohol laws would mean an end to alcohol addiction, National Addiction Centre deputy director (liaison) Dr Daryle Deering said.
Declaring smoke-free footpaths around Dunedin Hospital is a ridiculous idea which would not solve the issues around smoking near hospital entrances, Richard Thomson says.
